The third installment of the Chicago TV franchise, Chicago Med, has tension-packed episodes, with the doctors and nurses at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center handling complex medical cases on a daily basis. And among the 15-plus episodes that air each season, one always impresses more than the rest, thanks to a greater story, unique themes, and better performances by the cast.
Since the episodes of the medical drama keep delving into different topics, each fan has their favorite pick from each season. However, there are specific installments that are liked by more people and the concurrence is best demonstrated through IMDb where fans get to give episodes the ratings that best match the quality.
“Timing” (Season 1) – 7.4
Dr. Rhodes breaks some bad news to Dr. Downey that his liver cancer has surged all the way to the brain hence it’s incurable. Elsewhere, Sharon discovers that her husband is about to leave her.
“Timing” perfectly explores the difficulties that arise when doctors have to treat one of their own. The assumption that ‘doctors make the worst patients’ is converted into a fact in the episode since Dr. Downey becomes quite stubborn and unreasonable after learning his fate. Chaotic relationships are always a major ingredient in medical dramas too and the destruction of Sharon’s marriage not only triggers pity but also serves as a lesson to viewers, with the major point being: never ignore your partner’s feelings.
“Monday Morning” (Season 2) – 7.3
There are a number of parallel storylines in the episode. Dr. Halstead and Dr. Choi argue about how to treat a child whose symptoms resemble those of a stroke. Besides that, April’s relationship turns sore when she has a miscarriage. Elsewhere, the staff members of Gaffney Medical Center are devastated when one of them takes their own life.
Like many other episodes, “Monday Morning” doesn’t shy away from addressing serious issues. The death of a Gaffney Medical Center staff member underscores the effects of pressure at work and how poor mental health can lead to negative consequences if left unchecked. Furthermore, professional feuds are always a spectacle for the spectators at home and the manner in which Halstead and Choi throw verbal jabs at each other is guaranteed to leave everyone applauding.
“The Tipping Point” (Season 3) – 7.8
Dr. Rhodes rules himself out of a team set up to separate conjoined twins but begins second-guessing himself after realizing how devastated the parents are by his decision. Halstead then makes plans to propose to Natalie but she runs for dear life after learning he was sleeping around during their separation. Relentless, he runs after her and proposes still but she doesn’t say yes.
Halstead’s chaotic proposal is undoubtedly the highlight of the episode. It’s both hilarious and devastating enough to make fans check again to make sure they aren’t watching a rom-com. It’s somewhat heartbreaking too, given that the show had spent a lot of time laying the foundation for Halstead and Natalie’s relationship. Far away, Dr. Rhodes’s decision illustrates how pressure can get to even those who are good at their job. Nevertheless, there is a reminder that those in professions that save lives should take into account more than their own interests while making decisions.
“Never Let You Go” (Season 4) – 8.8
A lockdown mode is initiated at the hospital when a gunman holds the staff hostage upon realizing his girlfriend is about to give away their child for adoption. Dr. Rhodes is also overwhelmed with despondency after learning that his father doesn’t have much time to live.
The gunman story is borrowed from one of Grey’s Anatomy‘s most shocking finales where Gary Clarke goes on a firing spree at Seattle Grace Hospital. Despite the similarities, the appreciation for “Never Let You Go” is evident since it’s one of the best-rated Chicago Med episodes overall. The major difference is that the gunman here is younger and doesn’t kill anyone. And while the gunman situation is tense enough, the show pumps up the uneasiness by keeping Dr. Rhodes in a sad state.
“Infection, Part 2” (Season 5) – 8.6
Panic surges through Chicago as more people succumb to a flesh-eating disease outbreak. The Chicago PD’s Intelligence unit concludes that the spread of the bacteria is an act of terrorism and Dr. Halstead later confirms this when he catches a university researcher getting rid of the evidence.
As the second installment of a three-part crossover with Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D., “Infection, Part II” acts as the perfect bridge between the two shows. Not often do doctors find themselves in the middle of a terrorism conspiracy, therefore the plot feels very unique and refreshing. For once, plenty of action sequences are included in a Chicago Med episode. It’s wonderful crossovers like this that give the show a case for inclusion among the medical dramas that are arguably better than Grey’s Anatomy.
“So Many Things We’ve Kept Buried” (Season 6) – 7.9
Dr. Halstead and Dr. Choi clash once again while treating a pregnant patient whose heartbeats are irregular. Crockett also becomes good friends with a patient she is trying to treat.
By this point, fans have already gotten used to Halstead and Choi’s disagreements hence their scenes in the episode are forgettable. It’s Crockett that ends up being the star this time as he demonstrates how his bedside manner is superior to that of his colleagues. The importance of doctor-patient friendships is accentuated too, with the events suggesting that patients heal much better when a physician is warm rather than wooden.
“To Lean In, Or To Let Go” (Season 7) – 8.5
A mother won’t give the doctors as she insists that her son is being forced to undergo unnecessary medical procedures. Meanwhile, Sharon, one of Chicago Med‘s fan-favorite characters, becomes worried when she starts getting dizzy all the time.
There is a big lesson in “To Lean In, or to Let Go.” When parental love turns into an obsession, there can be negative consequences. During the push and pull, it’s evident that the doctors are on the right but the mother thinks otherwise, a point of view that almost leads to a child’s death. Still, on health matters, Sharon’s scare causes despair to linger in the air since everyone with a condition like hers has ended up dead. The question remains even after the episode ends, creating the perfect suspense.
